Have you heard that Networking or Relationship Building is essential for any job or internship search? I’m sure you have because if you go to a UCS workshop, meet with one of our staff members during an appointment or read through our resources and materials you will see the word Networking uttered hundreds of times. But once you meet people, exchange business cards, shake hands and part, what do you do next?
There really is an art to Maintaining Your Network. Here are some of my suggestions:
- When you meet someone and receive a business card from them, write on the back of the card something that will help remind you of them or a topic for follow-up. This will make it easier for you to write a relevant thank you note or follow-up email.
- Join LinkedIn.com and create a professional online presence for yourself. When you meet someone in person or over the phone ask if they are on LinkedIn.com. If they are, then ask them if you could stay connected through that site. If they say yes, then be sure to connect with them within 48 hours. (Also, change that preloaded message that LinkedIn.com has on the invite template to something more personal… that will go a long way to impress.)
- Send updates to your network when you win an award, receive an internship or job offer or for any change on your resume. When you write to share the update ask your contact how they are doing and be respectful of their time, but let them know you were excited to share your news.
- Invite your contact(s) out for lunch or for coffee to catch-up. The more often you can meet someone in person, the better your relationship will be. Think of how you build friendships and use some of those techniques (as appropriate) when maintaining your “professional friends” or your network.
- Volunteer for your contacts company, organization or ask them if you could help them in anyway. One reason, some people do not feel comfortable networking is because they might feel it is one sided. That you are asking others for favors or advice and you might feel there is nothing in it for the person you are networking with. Well, here’s your chance to give back to your contact.
Developing a strong network is indeed important, but remember to think of ways to stay in touch with those people you are meeting over the summer at your internship, in your classes, at alumni events or maybe even at social gatherings. If you have any questions please post a comment here or contact Northwestern University Career Services at 847-491-3700.
Northwestern UCS Blog 
Great suggestions, I think all of these ideas just go to show how much the small things matter. Writing quick notes on the backs of business cards, for example, can help you in the long run by making names and important details more top of mind and accessible.
I would echo everything on this list, and also add a few specific things which have helped me maintain a healthy network:
1) Have consistency when following up with ‘weak’ connections: I met a recruiter at a career fair two years ago and we are still in touch despite the fact that we operate in two completely different industries (industrial power cable sales and media/advertising..). Needless to say, I learned a lot from him through informational interviewing and we continue to learn from each other even as we get more into our distinctly separate niche professions. The key to our relationship is consistency; I’ve made sure to contact him about once every quarter to let him know about new directions in my career and professional life and vice versa. Today (two years later), we each have something which is quite valuable and quite rare: an outside set of eyes who has observed (and sometimes influenced) our respective career paths. So whenever I’m at a tough crossroads, I know exactly who I can turn to for sound advice and feedback.
2) LinkedIn can be huge. If you already use it or are planning to get started, take a minute to think about why the company is doing so well (went public on May 18, 2011). They make money not only from targeted advertising based on profiles, but also from the rapidly growing recruiting services they offer. Employers are willing to pay for LinkedIn products that allow them to filter, categorize, and access contact info of potential candidates. And anyone can get their attention with a free basic user account.
Thanks again for posting this!